Apparatus and method for forming laminated and molded garments

ABSTRACT

A method for forming a molded garment is provided. The method includes positioning an assembly of material between a first heated mold element and a second heated mold element, moving the first and second heated mold elements in relation to one another to laminate the assembly of material into a laminated assembly; moving a third heated mold element through the first heated mold element into contact with the laminated assembly so that the third heated mold element shapes a portion of the laminated assembly; and causing the first and second heated mold elements to trim fabric from the laminated to define the molded garment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/878,090, filed Jun. 28, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/483,681, filed Jun. 30, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forminggarments. More particularly, the present invention relates to anapparatus and method for forming laminated and molded garments.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various methods and/or mechanisms for making garments have beendeveloped and are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,058,154 isdirected to an apparatus and method for making breast fronts without theuse of any sewing or seams. However, notwithstanding that which isknown, there remains a constant need for improved methods and/or devicesfor providing simple, efficient, and economical garment manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus andmethod for forming a laminated and molded garment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method for simultaneously laminating and molding a garment simply,efficiently, and economically.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method that employs at least one first element, at leastone second element, and at least one third element that interact tofacilitate the simultaneous laminating and molding of garments.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for forming a garment that offers improveddurability and longevity.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by a method for forming a molded garment. The method includespositioning an assembly of material between a first heated mold elementand a second heated mold element, moving the first and second heatedmold elements in relation to one another to laminate the assembly ofmaterial into a laminated assembly; moving a third heated mold elementthrough the first heated mold element into contact with the laminatedassembly so that the third heated mold element shapes a portion of thelaminated assembly; and causing the first and second heated moldelements to trim fabric from the laminated [assembly?] to define themolded garment.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by a method including positioning an assembly of materialbetween a first heated mold element and a second heated mold element;holding the assembly of material in a desired location on the secondheated mold element; moving the first and second heated mold elements inrelation to one another to laminate the assembly of material into alaminated assembly while the second heated mold element shapes a portionof the laminated assembly; and causing the first and second heated moldelements to trim fabric from the laminated to define the molded garment.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention areachieved by an apparatus having three heatable mold portions. The firstheatable mold portion has a pair of breast cup cavities defined therein.The second heatable mold portion has a pair of openings defined therein.The openings correspond in position to the cavities. The third heatablemold portion has a pair of breast cup molds defined thereon. The breastcup molds are reciprocatively positioned in the openings so that thebreast cup molds are moveable into and out of the breast cup cavities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be understood by reference to the following specificationin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencecharacters denote like elements of structure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for forming alaminated and molded garment in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly of material inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly of material inaccordance with another illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, reflecting aforming step in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, reflectinganother forming step in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, reflectingstill another forming step in accordance with an illustrative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for forming alaminated and molded garment in accordance with another illustrativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 7, reflecting aforming step in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 7, reflectinganother forming step in accordance with an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a laminated and molded garment in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the integral laminated and moldedgarment of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and, in particular to FIG. 1, there is shownan illustrative embodiment of an apparatus for forming a laminated andmolded garment, generally represented by reference numeral 10. Theapparatus 10 essentially has at least one first element 20, at least onesecond element 30, and at least one third element 40 that cooperate toform the integral laminated and molded garment from an assembly ofmaterial 50 shown in FIG. 2.

First element 20 is preferably a surface heated retention plate thatcooperates with second element 30 and/or third element 40 to form agarment 70, such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, from an assembly ofmaterial 50 such as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. First element 20 ispreferably heated via any suitable method sufficient to accomplish theintended purposes thereof. For example, first element 20 can be heatedvia electric heating wires or rods (not shown), which transmit heat to acontacting surface 22 of the first element. First element 20 preferablyhas one or more through holes 24. Preferably one or more through holes24 are sized, shaped and/or configured to accommodate third element 40such that the third element can cooperate with first element 20 andsecond element 30, and can interact with the assembly of material 50preferably during the garment forming process to provide a threedimensional shape to the assembly of material. Preferably, first element20 can facilitate the controlled placement and/or lamination or bondingof material 50. First element 20 can move relative to second element 30and/or third element 40. First element 20 can also be rigid andrelatively stationary with respect to second element 30 and/or thirdelement 40. Further, the contacting surface 22 of first element 20 canhave any of a variety of textures, patterns and/or configurationssufficient to provide any of a variety of different effects on theassembly of material 50.

Second element 30 is preferably a surface heated support plate. Asdiscussed above, second element 30 cooperates with first element 20and/or third element 40 to form a garment 70, such as that shown in FIG.11, from the assembly of material 50. Second element 30 is preferablyheated via any suitable method sufficient to accomplish the intendedpurposes thereof. For example, second element 30 can be heated viaelectric heating wires or rods (not shown), which transmit heat to acontacting surface 32 the second element. Second element 30 preferablyhas one or more cavities or female mold sections 34. Preferably, one ormore female mold sections 34 are sized, shaped and/or configured toaccommodate third element(s) 40 such that third element(s) 40 caninteract with material 50 preferably during the garment forming processto provide a three dimensional shape to the assembly of the material.Second element 30 can move relative to first element 20 and/or thirdelement 40. Second element 30 can also be rigid and relativelystationary with respect to first element 20 and/or third element 40. Thecontacting surface 32 of second element 30 can have any of a variety oftextures, patterns and/or configurations sufficient to provide any of avariety of different effects on the assembly of material 50. Forexample, contacting surface 32 of second element 30 can have a pluralityof nodes, dimples or grooves 36, such as is shown in FIG. 1, forcooperating with a plurality of complementary nodes, dimples or groovesprovided on first element 20 and/or third element 40.

Third element 40 is preferably one or more surface heatable male molds.As discussed above, third element 50 cooperates with first element 20and/or second element 30 to form a garment 70 from the assembly ofmaterial 50. Third element 40 is preferably heated via any suitablemethod sufficient to accomplish the intended purposes of the thirdelement. For example, the third element can be heated via electricheating wires or rods (not shown), which transmit heat to a contactingsurface 42 thereof. Preferably, one or more male molds 40 are sized,shaped and/or configured to interact with first element 20 and to engagesecond element 30 such that the third element(s) can interact withmaterial 50 preferably during the garment forming process to provide athree dimensional shape to the assembly of the material. Third element40 can move relative to first element 20 and/or second element 30. Thirdelement 40 can also be configured to be rigid and relatively stationarywith respect to first element 20 and/or second element 30. It is notedthat the contacting surface 42 of third element 40 can have any of avariety of textures, patterns and/or configurations sufficient toprovide any of a variety of different effects on the assembly ofmaterial 50. For example, contacting surface 42 of third element 40 canhave a plurality of nodes, dimples or grooves 36, such as is shown inFIG. 1, for cooperating with a plurality of complementary nodes, dimplesor grooves provided on first element 20 and/or second element 30.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly of material 50 preferably hasat least an outer layer 52, an intermediate layer 54, and an inner layer58. Preferably outer layer 52 is decorative and appealing to the eye,intermediate layer 54 is preferably a supportive type layer.Intermediate layer 54 preferably provides durability as appropriate forthe type of garment being formed. Inner layer 58 is preferably soft toprovide comfort during wear of the garment. Preferably, the variouslayers of material assembly 50 can be formed from natural and/orman-made fiber. Additional layers may also be incorporated as part ofthe assembly of material 50. For example, a separate adhesive or bondinglayer can be used to facilitate fusing or bonding the various layers ofthe assembly together. The adhesive layer can have elastic propertiessufficient to compliment those properties associated with the fibers ormaterials used in the various layers of the assembly of material 50.Adhesive layer may be suitable for use with a variety of fibers andfabric forming techniques, including microfibers and specializednonwovens. Foam type materials may also be used or incorporated as partof material assembly 50. Preferably, apparatus 10 is suitable toaccommodate the loft material characteristics of various types of foamsuch that the loft characteristics remain relatively unchanged afterhaving been formed and/or molded in accordance with any of theillustrative embodiments of present invention.

Outer layer 52 preferably has an inner surface 51 and outer surface 53.Preferably, inner surface 51 has an adhesive or bonding substanceintegrated therein and/or dispersed thereon for facilitating the fusingor laminating of outer layer 52 with intermediate layer 54 and/or innerlayer 58. Outer layer 52 can preferably be shaped, sized and/orconfigured to provide any of a variety of aesthetic impressions asappropriate or intended for a garment type. Intermediate layer 54 canpreferably be secured or positioned only where essential for support.

Intermediate layer 54 is preferably at least somewhat less flexible thaneither outer layer 52 or inner layer 58. Like outer layer 52,intermediate layer 54 preferably has an inner surface 55 and an outersurface 56. Both inner and outer surfaces 55, 56, respectively, ofintermediate layer 54 can have an adhesive or bonding substanceintegrated therein and/or dispersed thereon for facilitating the fusingor laminating of the intermediate layer with outer layer 52 and/or innerlayer 58. Intermediate layer 54 can be shaped, sized and/or configuredto comfortably conform against the body of a wearer of the garment toprovide support and/or augmentation as appropriate or intended for agarment type. Intermediate layer 54 can preferably be secured orpositioned only where essential for support. For example, intermediatelayer 54 can be one or more stays or wires 54 positioned as shown inFIG. 2, which stays or wires 54 can preferably be made from any of avariety of different materials and/or combination of materials.

Inner layer 58 can preferably be formed from any material suitable forimproving the comfort to the wearer. Also, preferably, inner layer 58has an inner surface 57 and an outer surface 59. Preferably, outersurface 59 of inner layer 58 has an adhesive or bonding substanceintegrated therein and/or dispersed thereon for facilitating the fusingor laminating of outer layer 52 with intermediate layer 54 and/or outerlayer 52. Preferably, inner layer 58 can be shaped, sized and/orconfigured to comfortably conform against the body of a wearer of thegarment to provide comfort and/or reduce irritation as appropriate orintended for a particular garment type. Inner layer 58 can, ifdesirable, be secured or positioned only where essential for providingcomfort and/or reducing irritation.

Having described some of the preferred characteristics of theillustrative embodiment, the process or method for forming a garment 70,preferably includes at least the following steps. Referring to FIG. 4,an assembly of material 50 is first positioned in a heat moldingapparatus having at least one first element 20, at least one secondelement 30, and at least one third element 40. Then, as shown in FIG. 5,first element 20 is moved into a closed relation with second element 30,or vice-versa, sandwiching the assembly of material 50 therebetween.Thereafter, third element 40 is engaged to cooperate with first element20 and second element 30 such that the third element interacts with theassembly of material 50. Now, referring to FIG. 6, third element 40 isdisengaged, then, first element 20 is opened in relation to secondelement 30, or vice-versa, to provide the integral laminated and moldedassembly of material 50, such as that shown in FIG. 10. Thereafter, asshown in FIG. 11, any excess material is eliminated as appropriate,leaving the integral laminated and molded garment. For example, firstand second elements 20, 30 can trim excess material during the moldingprocess such that when the elements are opened, garment 70 is completed.

It is noted that the step of engaging third element 40 can beaccomplished simultaneously with the step of closing first element 20 inrelation to second element 30. Further, the step of disengaging thirdelement 40 is preferably performed after a period of about 10 seconds toabout 60 seconds and more preferably about 35 seconds, from the timethird element 40 is engaged. Still further, the step of opening firstelement 20 in relation to second element 30 is preferably performedafter an additional period of about 5 seconds to about 30 seconds andmore preferably about 15 seconds from the time that third element 40 isdisengaged.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown another illustrative embodiment ofan apparatus for forming a laminated and molded garment, generallyrepresented by reference numeral 100. Apparatus 100 preferably has atleast one first element 120, a second element 130, and alternatively athird element 140, all of which cooperate to form the integral laminatedand molded garment from an assembly of material 50.

First element 120 preferably has a surface heated retention plate 120that can cooperate with second element 130 and/or third element 140 toform a garment 70, such as that shown in FIG. 11, from an assembly ofmaterial 50 such as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. First element 120 ispreferably heated via any suitable method sufficient to accomplish theintended purposes thereof. For example, first element 120 can be heatedvia electric heating wires or rods (not shown), which transmit heat to acontacting surface 122 thereof.

First element 120 preferably has one or more male molds 124 and one ormore elongated relatively planar portions 126 about the one or more malemolds. Preferably one or more male molds 124 and one or more planarportions 126 are sized, shaped and/or configured to cooperate with oneor more complementary female molds 134 and one or more planar portions136 of second element 130.

Preferably, third element 140 can cooperate with first element 120 andsecond element 130 such that third element 140 can interact with theassembly of material 50 preferably during the garment forming process toretain or secure the assembly of material 50 during the garment formingprocess and/or to provide a texture, pattern or other type of shape orconfiguration to the assembly of material 50.

First element 120 can move relative to second element 130 and/or thirdelement 140. First element 120 can be rigid and relatively stationarywith respect to second element 130 and/or third element 140. Further,the contacting surface 122 of first element 120 can have any of avariety of textures, patterns and/or configurations sufficient toprovide any of a variety of different effects on the assembly ofmaterial 50.

Second element 130 is preferably a surface heated support plate 130fashioned to cooperate with first element 120 and/or third element 140.Second element 130 is preferably heated via any suitable methodsufficient to accomplish the intended purposes thereof. For example,second element 130 can be heated via electric heating wires or rods (notshown), which transmit heat to a contacting surface 132 thereof.Preferably, one or more female molds 134 and one or more planar portions136 of second element 130 are sized, shaped and/or configured toaccommodate the one or more male molds 124 and one or more planarportions 126 of first element 120. Accordingly, first element 120 caninteract with the assembly of material 50 during the garment formingprocess to provide a three dimensional shape to the assembly of material50. Second element 130 can be rigid and/or move relative to firstelement 120 and/or third element 140. Contacting surface 132 of secondelement 130 can have any of a variety of textures, patterns and/orconfigurations sufficient to provide any of a variety of differenteffects on the assembly of material 50. For example, contacting surface132 of second element 130 can have one or more holes, nodes, dimples orgrooves 138 for cooperating with one or more complementary holes, nodes,dimples or grooves 128, 148 provided on first element 120 and/or thirdelement 140, respectively.

Third element 140 is preferably a retention plate that can cooperatewith first element 120 and/or second element 130 to form integralgarment 70. Third element 140 can be heated, for example, by electricheating wires or rods (not shown), which transmit heat to a contactingsurface 142 thereof. Third element 140 is preferably positioned betweenfirst element 120 and second element 130. Third element 140 can besized, shaped and/or configured to facilitate or enable first element120 to directly interact with second element 130 and/or the assembly ofmaterial 50 during the garment forming process. Preferably, thirdelement 140 facilitates the controlled placement and/or lamination orbonding of the various layers of material assembly 50. Third element 140can be rigid and/or move relative to first element 120 and/or secondelement 130. Contacting surface 142 of third element 140 can, as withthe first and second elements 120, 130, have any of a variety oftextures, patterns and/or configurations sufficient to provide any of avariety of different effects on the assembly of material 50. Forexample, contacting surface 142 can have one or more holes, nodes,dimples or grooves 148 for cooperating with one or more complementaryholes, nodes, dimples or grooves 128, 138 provided on first element 120and/or second element 130, respectively.

Having described some of the preferred characteristics of anotherillustrative embodiment, the process or method for forming a garment 70using apparatus 100, preferably includes at least the following steps.First, referring to FIG. 8, assembly of material 50 is positionedbetween first element 120 and second element 130 of apparatus 100.Referring to FIG. 9, first element 120 is then closed in relation tosecond element 130, or vice-versa, thereby sandwiching the assembly ofmaterial 50 therebetween. Then, first element 120 is opened in relationto second element 130, or vice-versa, after a period of about 20 secondsto about 80 seconds and more preferably about 50 seconds, to leave alaminated and molded assembly 60 like that shown in FIG. 10, and then,eliminating any excess material as appropriate, leaving a laminated andmolded garment 70 like that shown in FIG. 11.

It is noted that third element 140, if used, may be engaged in relationto second element 130 either before, after or simultaneously with thestep of closing first element 120 in relation to second element 130.Further, the step of disengaging third element 140 is preferablyperformed after the step of opening first element 120 in relation tosecond element 130.

It is also noted that various other steps and/or features well known inthe art may also be incorporated into the present invention asappropriate for forming a desired garment type. Thus, for example,various alternative techniques for connecting fabrics/materials canused, various different cutting and/or finishing techniques can be used,or various material types may also be used as appropriate.

The present invention having been thus described with particularreference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for forming a garment, comprising: afirst element; a second element, said first element and said secondelement being movable relative to one another; and a third element forcooperating with said first and second elements to form the garment froman assembly of material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstelement is a heatable male mold and said second element is a heatablefemale mold, said heatable male and female molds cooperating tosimultaneously laminate and mold said assembly of material to form thegarment.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said third element is aheatable retention plate for holding and/or positioning said assembly ofmaterial in place.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said thirdelement is a heatable male mold that interacts with said first andsecond elements to provide a three dimensional shape to said assembly ofmaterial.
 5. An apparatus for forming a molded garment, comprising: afirst heatable mold portion having a pair of breast cup cavities definedtherein; a second heatable mold portion having a pair of openingsdefined therein, said pair of openings corresponding in position to saidpair of breast cup cavities; and a third heatable mold portion having apair of breast cup molds defined thereon, said pair of breast cup moldsbeing reciprocatively positioned in said pair of openings so that saidpair of breast cup molds are moveable into and out of said pair ofbreast cup cavities.